History of the Academy of the Sacred Heart is woven into the history of Detroit, school official says as milestone year concludes
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — On Thursday, May 21, the Academy of the Sacred Heart turned its thanks to God for nearly two centuries of existence, as it celebrated Mass at SS. Peter and Paul (Jesuit) Church in Detroit, the parish associated with the school at the time of its founding in 1851.
There, the current students, faculty, alumnae and supporters reflected with gratitude on all the school has accomplished and all that they have to look forward to as they continue to build on the foundation laid by the Society of the Sacred Heart and a 175-year history of the Academy of the Sacred Heart that cannot be separated from the history of Detroit itself.
In 1851, a century and a half after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed on the banks of the Detroit River and dedicated the new city to Ste. Anne de Detroit, five religious of the Sacred Heart boldly arrived in Detroit to open a school through the patronage of the Beaubien family, who were fulfilling a desire of the late Fr. Gabriel Richard to bring a Sacred Heart education to Michigan.
The newly established Convent of the Sacred Heart on Jefferson Avenue first educated five boarders, 11 day pupils and five orphans. Approximately 10 years later, a new school was built where the Renaissance Center stands today. The school continued to expand over the decades, and in 1958, the Academy opened the doors to its current location in Bloomfield Hills.
Today, the school serves students from infants through grade 12 and has repeatedly earned its spot on lists of the best Catholic schools in Michigan. The classes are “small by design,” and lay leaders continue to build on the foundation established by the religious sisters nearly two centuries ago, with a focus on shaping the whole person. The school is still part of the Academy of the Sacred Heart's vast network, with schools worldwide.
“The (school’s) history is a part of the mission, and the mission is a part of daily life here at Sacred Heart,” Agostino Visocchi, director of strategic marketing communications, told Detroit Catholic.
The 2025-26 year had a special focus on the anniversary, but the school itself is a shrine to Detroit and the surrounding areas, the Society of the Sacred Heart and its founder Sr. Madeleine Sophie Barat, RSCJ, and former students, teachers and religious who once walked its halls and prayed in its chapel.
Visocchi explained that half of the 2026 graduating class are considered “lifers,” meaning they have attended Sacred Heart since infancy.
While the school is strong academically and proud of it, Visocchi said its lasting legacy continues to be its role in service throughout Metro Detroit.
Viscocchi described service as the “cornerstone” of the school, adding that, as part of the school’s anniversary celebration, the entire community came together to pack enough meals to feed 10,000 individuals, and every Thursday during the school year, the upper school girls leave campus for two hours of service.
“The founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Sr. Madeleine Sophie, in her wisdom, knew that a Sacred Heart education needed to shape the whole person,” Visocchi explained, pointing to the school's five goals: faith, intellect, service, community and growth.
“What has remained the most consistent (over the years) is developing the whole person; our graduates have and continue to leave this place with a heart for justice and service, ready to lead and love — that's important to us,” Visocchi added. “It's important that they know that they are a part of something bigger, and that connection to their spiritual side, that connection to serving their community, is what helps make them so well-rounded, and is a key to their success.”
“It’s humbling to continue serving a mission established 175 years ago," head of school Damian Hermann wrote to Detroit Catholic.
“The sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart planted something enduring here, and we continue to see it in the faith, character, and courage of our students, alumni, and families,” Hermann said. “The strength of Sr. Madeleine Sophie's vision reminds us that the world will always need education rooted in faith and love.”
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 school year, Visocchi said enrollment will be the highest in 10 years at approximately 500 students. The school continues to grow and is adding a customized school program for elite athletes, grades 5 and up, and has partnered with grocery store chain Plum Market to open a new commercial kitchen that will provide lunch for all students.
“What has changed is just the delivery of the mission,” Visocchi said. “We try to stay cutting edge, and we do it so our students keep up with the times, but never at the expense of their character and the foundations that started this school.”
